Airfix 1/76 Bedford MK Tactical Refueller

[flyjoe180]

I acquired this cheap little kit to compliment my Harrier when it's finished. I've not built a road going vehicle kit before so this is a first. I believe this is Airfix's re-box of a former JB Models kit. Someone (I think Alan if my memory serves me right) built the 4-tonne version of this a while ago. Probably very similar.

The box and bits:

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First impressions, nicely moulded if not old. Decals are a little off register, but nothing that can't be fixed or replaced with spares or paint. The instructions are shocking, very difficult to understand and the colour schemes likewise. I'm going to keep this one simple.

 

[flyjoe180]

Progress while the Harrier bits dry.

Chassis and exhaust etc:

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The cab has been sparsely painted inside, very little will be seen through that clear plastic anyway so I stuck with basic colours. I added plastic card under the section rear of an closest to the cab so you can't see up into the model from underneath when completed. The clear cab has been mated with the lower section. Primer time next then a coat of green:

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[flyjoe180]

Going to add a refueller figure (converted from a German ground crew set from Revell) and a pair of rear-view mirrors for the cab from wire and foil.

 

[Polux]

Excellent mask on the cab Joe. I have some Land Rover at this scale and brand, I never build them, but they look lovely

 

[dubster72]

That's a nice little kit Joe - it'll look good with your Harrier.

 

[papa 695]

Great start Joe should look very good with the Harrier

 

[Andy Mac]

I always wondered what these "older" kits were like. I'm looking forward to seeing it with your Harrier.

 

[rickoshea52]

I've built this kit and the GS bodied 4 tonner and it's really simple to do. Mirrors and a bonding strap finish it off but it's a shame about the decals. You can get replacements from BW Models or Kingfisher Miniatures.

I only ever saw one of these during my RAF career and that was a light grey painted LH drive used to refuel GSE with diesel in Al-Kharj. I think they were used with the Army Air Corps and Harrier units mostly.

 

[eddiesolo]

Looking good so far Joe, like it.

Si

 

[John Huggins]

Nice start Joe, keep the pic's rolling.

John

 

[0ne48thtel]

Liking the look of his Joe I shall be watching.

 

[Jeff66]

Hope for realism you're going to give the driver large biceps, them and the old knockers we had didn't have power steering and all the drivers looked like popeye on steroids. When we got Bedford TM's it was real luxury.....Jeff

 

[Alan 45]

Good start joe , I did build one quite a while ago for my first dio , nice little kit joe and for it's age quite detailed

 

[noble]

lovely work so far and nice kit, i admire you folks who build in this scale.

scott

 

[monica]

nice start Joe, looking good

 

[tr1ckey66]

This should make up a nice little diorama Joe. Should look great with the Harrier. Looks like a good start and I look forward to the updates.

Cheers

P

 

[treyzx10r]

Going to be a great companion for the Harrier Joe,looking great keep it comin'!

 

[flyjoe180]

Bear in mind figures are not my thing, and if they were they certainly wouldn't be in 1/72 or 76 scale! Here is Mr Refueller, resplendent in RAF blue overalls and sporting a 1982 side burn for good measure:

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Wheels and tyres:

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My mirror frames were made from 15 Amp fuse wire and attached using super glue. The mirrors are plastic card:

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Fire extinguishers (why they are blue I have no idea but that is what Airfix tell me and the colour they are on pictures of that period):

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Everything is laid out and ready to go together:

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[0ne48thtel]

This is coming along nicely Joe.

 

[flyjoe180]

Cracking on to try and finish with the Harrier build, I painted the fuel hose area and attached the fire extinguishers:

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An attempt at imitating the Bedford logo, probably would have been camouflaged out anyway but just playing:

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Wheels are on and side screen fitted. It's Humbrol No.3 gloss green but will be dulled with the rest of it in due course:

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Spare wheel:

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Fuel bowser tank fitted, still some detail to do on that:

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The cab is fitted:

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And here we all are waiting for things to dry.

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I've made a base from a picture frame, using wet and dry sandpaper and some old railway grass I had laying about. I knew that huge roll of grass would come in handy.